Indicia applying machine with matrix locating device



N. S. MILLER- June 29, 1954 INDICIA APPLYING MACHINE WITH MATRIX LOCATING DEVICE Filed July 29, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l N. S. MILLER June 29, 1954 INDICIA APPLYING MACHINE WITH MATRIX LOCATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29. 1949 Egg .qYUHer" M4 pw CBTTORNEV NVESN'1 mi ho! 16 5 Patented June 29, 1954 INDICIA APPLYING MACHINE WITH MATRIX LOCATING DEVICE Nicholas S. Miller, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Cummins-Chicago Corp., a corporation of Illinois Application July 29, 1949, Serial No. 107,563

11 Claims. 1

The invention relates to business machines of the type adapted for perforating, printing, embossing, or otherwise applying indicia to sheet material such as paper, and it is more particularly concerned with machines having a lurality of individually movable matrix elements which may be shifted step by step to select the indicia to be applied.

One object of the invention is to provide improved means for accurately locating individual matrix elements in selected positions of adjustment and for effectually locking the machine against operation until all of the elements have been correctly positioned,

Another object is to provide detent means utilizing balls or equivalent detent elements operative when the machine is idle to releasably retain the matrix elements in selected positions of adjustment and operative in a perforating cycle of the machine to positively lock the matrix elements in their adjusted positions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an indicia applying machine equipped with matrix positioning and control means embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the condition of the detent and control mechanism when the matrix elements are properly positioned.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the condition of the detent and control mechanism when one or more of the matrix elements is improperly ositioned.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken in a horizontal plane substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View showing the relationship between the trip mechanism, the cycle starting switch and the cooperating element of the detent and control mechanism.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown as incorporated in a cyclically-operated power driven machine of the type adapted to apply indicia in the form of perforations. Such machines are commonly used for cancelling checks, receipting bills, etc. The exemplary machine has a rigid frame or base I 0 at the front end of which is supported a horizontally-disposed platen carrying a conventional die block I I. Supported above the die block I I and spaced therefrom so as to leave a slot I2 for the insertion of the sheet material to be perforated is a stationary frame I3 carrying a plurality of groups of punches I4 (Figs. 3 and 4). These punches may be of any suitable and well-known character and are conventionally yieldably retained in a raised position and guided for movement across the slot I2 and into the die block II.

Advance of the punches I4 in their perforating strokes is effected by a head I5 supported and guided at the forward end of a housing III for movement toward and from the frame I3. The head is normally retained in a raised position and in each operating cycle of the machine is moved downwardly to punch-actuating position and then returned to retracted position by power means (not shown) enclosed within the housing It which is mounted on the rear portion of the base Ill. The power means may be of the general type disclosed in the Swanson Patent No.

-'* 2,248,136, issued July 8, 1941, or of any suitable character.

In the particular machine illustrated, an operating cycle is initiated by a control device, herein shown as an electrical switch S (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) adapted to be actuated incident to the insertion of a sheet of paper or the like in the slot I2. For actuating the switch, a trip member in the form of a generally U-shaped lever I6 is arranged in straddling relation to the punch frame I3 with its legs pivoted thereto at I! (Fig. 2) adjacent the rear of the slot I2. Near its forward or free end, the lever I6 is formed with depending contact elements I 8 which normally extend below the surface of the die block I I and which are engaged by a sheet inserted in the slot I2 to rock the lever upwardly about its pivot. Such rocking of the lever is transmitted through a mechanical motion transmitting linkage, herein shown as comprising an operating member such as a push rod I9 and a spring arm 20 to the operating element 2| (Fig. l) of the switch S. As shown in Fig. 2, this switch is supported on a bracket 22 secured to the forward end of the frame I3 and is enclosed by a removable cover plate 23.

For actuating the punches I 4, the head I5 is provided with a series of matrix elements 25, one for each group of punches, positioned to engage the upper ends of the punches in the advancing or downward movement of the head. To provide for operating the punches in different combinations to perforate selected indicia, which may be in the form of letters, numerals or other symbols, each matrix element is formed with a plurality of punch-engaging faces 25, each having a series of shallow depressions or sockets 21 (Figs. 3 and 4) for cooperation with the ends of the punches to be operated and a series of relatively deep holes 28 for receiving the ends of the punches which are to remain idle. The matrix elements are supported for adjustment whereby any selected one of the faces may be presented in operating position, that is, in a position to coact with the associated punch group. In the ex" emplary machine, the matrixelements 25 are in the form of rings and are rotatably supported in side-by-side relation upon a horizontally dis posed shaft or mandrel 29 carriedby the head i5.

As herein shown, rotation of the matrix elements 25 to select indicia is effected by means of finger-operated levers 30 (Fig. l) one of which is provided for each element. These levers are supported for pivotal movement upon a horizon tal shaft 3| mounted in the upper portion of the head and each lever is formed with a se,,- mental portion 32- having teeth 33 meshing with the teeth of a pinion 34 rigid with the associated matrix element 25. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the levers 30 are arrangedto project laterally through slots 35 in a cover plate 36 on the top of the head l5. For convenience in setting the matrix elements, the particular face presented in operative position in the various positions of the lever 30 are indicated by appropriate indicia 3'! stamped or otherwise applied to the housing 38 adjacent the lever accommodating slots.

In accordance with the invention, novel yieldable detent means is provided for releasably retaining the matrix elements in the various po-- sitions in which their matrix faces are accurately presented with respect to the associated punch groups, while permitting selective adjustment or resetting of the elements by simply applying pressure thereto by a finger. This detent means is further operative to effectually prevent initiation of a perforating cycle until all of the elements are properly and accurately positioned, thus eliminating any possibility of damaging the machine or applying inaccurate or mutilated indicia to the sheet being perforated. Additionally, the detent means is constructed and arranged so as to effectually lock the detent elements against adjusting movements during an operating cycle of the machine which further guards against damage to the machine parts.

In its preferred form, the detent means ineludes two sets of detent elements, herein shown as balls 46 and 4! arranged in rows on opposite sides of the matrix elements 25. The balls 40 are retained in apertures in a guide plate 43 supported on and movable with the head i5 at one side of and parallel to the axis of the matrix elements. The balls M are similarly retained in an apertured guide plate 44. n The latter guide plate is also supported on and movable with the head l5 at the opposite side of the matrix elements to that at which the guide plate 43 is positioned, and is also disposed parallel to the axis of the elements.

One detent element or ball of each set is positioned adjacent the periphery of one of the ma trix elements for cooperation with locating notches or depressions 46 (Figs. 3 and 4) formed therein. It will be understood, of course, that each matrix element has a locating notch for each matrix face and these notches are predeterminedly spaced with respect to the matrix faces. Moreover, the rows of balls are so posi tioned with respect to the matrix elements that the notches are presented for the reception of both of the balls 40 and 4! when a matrix face is properly positioned for coaction with the associated punch group. The notches 4Gare relatively shallow and are shaped to conform generally to the contour of the contacting portions of the detent elements so that the latter may be forced therefrom when the matrix elements are subjected to a predetermind torque, as for example, by the application of finger pressure tending torotate the matrix elements.

In the present instance, the balls 4| are yieldably urged against the matrix elements by leaf springs 41 anchored to the guide plate 44 and bearingvagainst the outer faces of the balls, as

shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. These springs are tensioned so that the matrix elements are securely held against accidental rotation; but may be turned readily by finger pressure to select the matrix faces. Accurate positioning of the matrix elements is thus facilitated.

Initiation of a machine cycle is conditioned upon proper positioning of the matrix elements by the action of the balls 40. For this purpose a U-shaped bail 50 is pivotally supported on the machine frame with its cross member 5i extending along the row of balls 40 and engaging their outer faces, as shown in Figs. 8-5. A bar 52 rigidly secured to the cross member 5! extends forwardly therefrom and has a tongue 53 at its forward end engaging in an aperture in a guide lever 54. This lever is supported at its upper end by a pivot screw 55 on an arm 56 of the bracket 22. At its free end the lever 54 has a laterally turned tip 51 apertured to receive the push rod IS. The push rod is secured to the trip lever 5 for pivotal movement and may accordingly be swung into or out of alinement with the switch actuating arm 20 by appropriate rocking of the lever 54.

As shownin Fig. 6, the guide lever 54 is suspended in a position such that it normally tends to swing the push rod l9 below and into alinem'ent with the free end of the switch arm 20. The lever also acts through the tongue 53 to swing the bail 50 against the row of balls 40. If desired, a spring or other biasing means may be provided for urging the bail into engagement with the balls. With all of the balls engaged in the notches 46, or, in other words, when all of the matrix elements are accurately positioned, the bail and guide lever assume the position shown in Fig. 3 with the end of the push rOd disposed directly under the arm as shown in Fig. 1. Accordingly, when the trip lever [B is raised by insertion of a sheet in the slot l2, the push rod is shifted upwardly to engage the arm 20 and actuate the switch S for starting an operating cycle of the machine.

In the event that one or more of the detent elements or balls 40 fails to engage in a notch 46, as when the associated matrix element is not positioned accurately, the bail 50 is swung outwardly as shown in Fig. 4. The bail carries with it the guide lever 54 which in turn swings the upper end of the push rod l9 out of alinement with the switch arm 20, or to the position shown in Fig. 6. Under those conditions. insertion of a sheet in the slot [2 will rock the trip arm 16 and raise the push rod H, but the rod will simply move past the switch arm 20 without actuating I the switch S. It will be apparent, therefore, that the machine cycle cannot be started until the improper positioning of the matrix element or elements has been corrected and all of the elements are accurately positioned for operation.

During the operating cycle of the machine,

rotation of the matrix elements 25, whether intentional or accidental, is positively prevented by the detent means. For this purpose, a stop bar 60 (Figs. 1 and 3-5) is stationarily supported on the machine frame in spaced parallel relation to the guide bar 44 for the balls 4|. As the head I5 is advanced for operating the punches, the springs 41 slide in behind the stop bar which thus acts to retain the balls 4| seated in their notches 46 irrespective of any torque applied to the matrix elements. At the end of the cycle the springs 41 are raised clear of the stop bar so that the balls may be retracted from the notches and the matrix elements rotatably adjusted in the usual manner.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a control switch operable when actuated to initiate the operation of the machine, an element normally adapted to be shifted along a predetermined path to operate said switch, a series of matrix elements, means supporting said matrix elements in side-by-side relation for individual adjustment, each of said elements having a plurality of locating notches, a series of detent elements supported adjacent said series of matrix elements with each of the detent elements positioned for engagement in a notch in a different one of the elements, said notches and said detent elements being shaped to permit the latter to be retracted and the matrix elements shifted in response to force applied to the matrix elements, and a member cooperating with all of said detent elements to urge them into. said notches, said member being operable upon failure of any detent element to enter a notch for deflecting said shiftable element from its normal path to thereby prevent operation of said control switch upon shifting of said element.

2. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a control switch operable when actuated to initiate the operation of the machine, an element movable in a predetermined path for operating said switch, a series of matrix elements, means supporting said matrix elements for individual adjustment, each of said elements having a plurality of locating notches disposed in predetermined relation to the respective adjusted positions of the elements, a series of detent elements supported in operative relation to said series of matrix elements with each of the detent elements positioned for engagement in a notch in a different one of the matrix elements, said detent elements being urged into said notches to retain the matrix elements in adjusted position and yielding under finger pressure applied to shift the matrix elements, a member cooperating with all of said detent elements, said member being displaced with respect to said matrix elements upon failure of any detent element to enter a notch, and means operable upon the displace ment of said member to shift said element from its normal path and thereby render it ineffective in its movement to operate said control switch.

3. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a control device operable when actuated to initiate the operation of the machine, a controlelement movable in a predetermined path to actuate said device, a series of matrix elements, means supporting said matrix elements for individual positional adjustment, each of said elements having a plurality of locating notches disposed in predetermined relation to the respective adjusted positions of the element. a series of detent elements supported in operative relation to said series of matrix elements with each of the detent elements positioned for engagement in a notch in a different one of the elements when theelement is located in an adjusted position, a U-shaped bail pivotally supported with its cross member coacting with said detent elements and urging them toward their respective matrix elements, said bail being rocked away from the detent elements upon failure of any detent element to enter a notch, and means actuated by said bail for deflecting said control element from its predetermined path to thereby prevent actuation of said control device.

4. In a machine of the class described, in (30111 bination, a bed having a platen for supporting a sheet to which indicia is to be applied, a head supported and guided for movement toward and from said platen, said head being normally retained in a retracted position, a series of matrix elements supported on said head for adjustment to determine the indicia to be applied to the sheet, detent means for locating said matrix elements in operative position including a detent element coacting with each matrix element and a bail extending across and coacting with all of said detent elements, a control device operable to initiate the advance of said head for applying the indicia to the sheet, an actuating arm for said device, a control member engaged by and shifted from a normal rest position by a sheet presented on said platen, an operating member having one end operatively associated with said control member and its other end alined with said arm and normally positioned to engage the same and actuate said device upon the shifting of said control member, and a shiftable guide member for said operating member connected with said bail and shiftable thereby upon movement of any matrix element out of operating position to move said other end of the operating member out of alinement with said arm and therebyprevent operation of said control device upon the shifting of said member.

5. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a bed having a platen for supporting a sheet to which indicia is to be applied, a head supported and guided for movement toward said platen, said head being normally retained in. a retracted position, a series of matrix elements supported on said head for adjustment to determine the indicia to be applied to the sheet, detent means cooperating with said matrix elements including a member adapted to be displaced when any matrix element is improperly positioned, a control device operable to initiate the advance of said head for app-lying the indicia to the sheet, a control member engaged by and shifted from a normal rest position by the sheet presented on said platen, a mechanical linkage including a motion transmitting member having an inactive position and an active position, said motion transmitting member being effective in the latter position to transmit the movements of said con trol member to said device to operate the same, and means actuated by said detent member when displaced for shifting the motion-transmitting member to inactive position and thereby disable said linkage.

6. In a machine for applying indicia to sheet material, a starting switch having an actuating arm, a series of matrix elements each having plurality of matrix faces, said elements adjustable to present selected faces in operative position, a control member shifted from a rest position upon presentation of a sheet of material 7, to the machine, a mechanical linkage interposed between said member and said arm normally operative to transmit thrust from said member to said armto actuate said switch in response to the shifting of the member, and means coacting with said matrix elements for rendering said linkage ineffective to transmit thrust to said arm until all of said matrix elements are accurately positioned for operation.

7. In a machine for applying indicia to sheet material, a, starting switch having an actuating arm, a series of matrix elements each having a plurality of matrix faces, said elements being adjustable to present selected faces in operative position, each of said elements having locating notches disposed in predetermined relation to said faces, a detent for each matrix element positioned to enter a notch therein when one of its matrix faces is positioned for operation, a control. member shifted from a rest position upon presenta tion of a sheet of material to the machine, an operating member interposed between said control member and said switch actuating arm normally effective to operate the arm in response to the shifting of said control member, and a bail cooperating with said detents and movable into an operated position upon failure of any detent to enter a notch, means providing an operative connection between said bail and said operating member, said bail acting in its movement to operated position to shift said operating member out of operative relation to said switch arm and thereby prevent operation of the switch when said control member is shifted.

8. In a machine for applying indicia to sheet material, in combination, a platen for supporting the sheet to which indicia is to be applied, a head supported and guided for movement toward and from said platen, a series of matrix rings each having a plurality of matrix faces for determining the indicia to be applied to the sheet, said rings also having a series of locating notches disposed in predetermined spaced relation to said matrix faces, a shaft supporting said rings in side-by-side relation on said head for rotative adjustment whereby selected ones of the matrix faces may be presented in operative positions. a first group of detents, a second group of detents, each of said groups of detents being arranged in a row and disposed respectively on opposite sides of said rings for engagement in the locating notches thereof when the matrix faces of the rings are presented in operative positions, a control device operable to initiate the advance of said head to apply the indicia to the sheet, means actuated by one of said groups of detents for disabling said control device until matrix face of each of the rings is accurately located in operative position, and means cooperating with the other group of detents for positively locking said rings in adjusted positions while said head is away from its normal rest position.

9. In a machine for applying indicia to sheet material, in combination, a frame including a platen for supporting the sheet material, a head supported and guided on said frame for movement toward and from said platen, a series of matrix rings each having a plurality of matrix faces and a like plurality of locating notches dis- :osed in predetermined spaced relation to said faces, a shaft supporting said matrix elements in side-by-side relation on said head for rotative adjustment whereby selected ones of said faces may be presented in operative positions, a detent for each element engageable in one of the notches therein when the associated matrixface is accurately positioned for operation, an elongated flat spring for each detent secured at one end to the head and bearing at the other end against the detent to yieldably urge it into the notch presented in its matrix ring, and a stop bar supported on said frame positioned to afford clearance for the free ends of said springs when the head is retracted to its normal rest position, said bar being effective to block the free ends of said springs against movement and thereby positively retain the detents in their respective notches when said head is advanced from its normal rest position.

10. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a series of individually adjustable matrix elements for applying indicia to an article, a control switch operative when actuated to start the machine, a control member movable from a rest position upon presentation of an article to the matrix elements, a mechanical linkage normally effective to transmit the movement of said control member to said switch to actuate the switch, and means operative upon improper adjustment of any of said matrix elements for interrupting the motion transmitting effectiveness of said linkage.

11. In a machine for applying indicia to sheet material, in combination, a series of matrix elements each having spaced notches therein, said elements being supported in side by side relation and individually adjustable to determine the indicia to be applied to a sheet of material presented to the machine, a shift-able detent adjacent each matrix element and positioned for engagement with one of the notches therein when the matrix element is located in an indiciav applying position, said notches and said detents being shaped to effect retraction of the detents in response to forces applied directly to the elements to adjust the same to a different position, means including an elongated bar cooperating with all of said detents and biased to yieldingly urge said detents into the notches in the matrix elements,

power actuated means operable to effect an indicia applying operation of the machine, and means operable by said detent urging means upon failure of any detent to enter one of the notches in its associated matrix element for preventing the operation of said power actuated.

means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,347,445 Crocco July 20, 1920 1,394,566 Lyman Oct. 25, 1921 1,742,274 Payne Jan. 7, 1930 1,909,141 Woodward May 16, 1933 1,916,538 Smith July 4, 1933 1,935,194 Wilsey Nov. 14, 1933 2,099,230 Rix NOV. 16, 1937 2,195,477 Andersen Apr. 2, 1940 2,248,136 Swanson 1 July 8, 1.941 2,329,646 Payne Sept. 14, 1943 2,330,997 Rix Oct. 5, 1.943 2,435,434 Kosmer Feb. 3, 1948 2,517,392 Ettinger Aug. 1, 1950 2,521,973 Hamilton Sept. 12, 1950 2,589,271 Miller Mar. 18, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,641 Great Britain May 24, 1889 

